Mountain Views News, Pasadena Edition [Sierra Madre] Saturday, February 4, 2017

MVNews this week:  Page A:9

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FOOD AND DRINK & MORE

Mountain Views-News Saturday, February 4, 2017 

SUNDAY BRUNCH AT CHEVAL BLANC

You remember the story of King Midas; he was a kind man who ruled his kingdom fairly. One day, 
while walking in his garden, he saw an elderly satyr asleep in the flowers. Taking pity on the old fellow, 
King Midas let him go without punishment. When the god Dionysus heard about it, he rewarded 
King Midas by granting him one wish. The king thought for only a second and then said I wish for 
everything I touch to turn to gold.” And so it was.

I met Gregg Smith some 25 years ago when he turned Perkins restaurant into the Parkway Grill, a few 
years later what was a florist shop “Jonkers” he turned it into the Arroyo Chop House. Monahan’s is 
now Smitty’s and the story of the Midas Touch has Gregg Smith as a bi line when you read this fabled 
story because Gregg certainly has the Midas touch, before I tell you about my recent visit to Cheval 
Blanc for Sunday Brunch, let’s get a quick history lesson on how brunch came to be.. The term “Brunch” 
is a portmanteau of breakfast and lunch, it was 
said to originated in Britain in the late 1890’s, to 
be fashionable to this day, we, say we must brunch 
sometime, this writers feeling is Brunch was a great 
way to party the night before, without committing 
to an early morning breakfast, the term should be an acronym, for let’s meet and eat once we awaken 
from our hangovers. I digress, since it was too early for tea, it was the perfect time to get the day going 
with a bloody mary or a mimosa. 

Cheval Blanc has added Sunday Brunch to their prestigious line up with a fantastic array of morning 
food and a window look at lunch. A warm pastry and bread basket at 11 in the morning you bet!!! 
Accompanied by a cold glass of Rorderer Estate Bubbly, this guy felt he just stepped into the French 
Quarter, after all this is a French Restaurant. Now this is where my job gets tricky, one man can only 
eat so much, so I’d better pick wisely, Spoiler Alert!!! I did !! After a few bites of the brioche toast with 
raspberry jam I decided on the Charcuterie, which included Cured Ham, those little tiny pickles that 
everyone loves and Artisan terrine (cheese for you Americans), my dad always taught me, never fill up 
on the bread when doing a Sunday Brunch. So , I was smart enough to only get half full, As I mentioned 
before, we must do Brunch, well you must order the Saumon Fume Eggs Benedict, yes Benedict was a 
trader but maybe this was my first French Brunch, I was looking for something unique and this is it, 
when they poured the warm béarnaise sauce on top of the poached egg I was in heaven, no the first bite 
was Heaven and the second was 
Nirvana, it was time for another 
glass of bubbly and at $13 a glass 
for what I consider top notch 
California Wine one could afford 
it, in fact there were several wines 
on the list that I considered good 
values including a full bottle 
of Domaine Chandon for 
$31, and a Magnum of Robert 
Mondavi for $150. Hey it Brunch, 
live a little you have to go to work 
on Monday enjoy yourself. Many 
of you want your eggs a certain 
way, as my gal at Starbucks says No 
problem !!! I recommend the Petit 
Filet and Eggs, eggs anyway way 
you want them with the black truffle hollandaise sauce. 

As of this writing there were five desserts offered and I opted for the Crème Burlee, but of course, 
it takes a few minutes more to make, but well worth it. Please indulge me to jump back to the bar, 
many of you like a bloody mary to jump start your morning , I opted for the bubbly , but I witnedd 
the bartender making a Bloody Mary for the ages, I won’t and can’t give you the recipe but is one the 
best Bloody marys I have ever had, free pour of Vodka, very little tomato juice, but it was epic. The 
restaurant is spacious with white lined and still that same big bar and beautiful stained glass windows 
from the days of Club 41. Located in central Old Pasadena. All I can say Magnifico !!!

Cheval Blanc 41 De Lacey Ave. Pasadena (626) 577-4141

Listen to My Food show, Dining with Dills on AM830 AngelsRadio 5 PM Saturday evenings


TABLE FOR TWO by Peter Dills

thechefknows@yahoo.com


Julie’s Favorite Family Recipes

CAROL’S APPLE WALNUT CAKE

INGREDIENTS

1/2 pound butter 

2 cups white sugar

3 eggs 

3 cups sifted all-purpose flour

1 teaspoons salt 

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg 

2 teaspoons vanilla extract 

1 cup chopped walnuts 

3 cups sliced apples

1 cup coconut

DIRECTIONS

 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter and flour one 10 inch tube pan.

 Cream together the butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time beating well after each addition. Set 
aside.

 Sift together the flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg. Add to wet ingredients and mix well.

 Stir in vanilla, walnuts ,coconut,and apples. Mix well and pour into prepared pan.

 yBake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for approximately 1 hour or until toothpick inserted in center 
comes out clean. Set aside to cool. Slide knife along outer edges to release bottom of tube pan. Slide knife 
along bottom of tube pan and inner tube to release cake.


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